The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Science on Sunday chose Indian musician Gopi Sundar’s two compositions from the Malayalam blockbuster Pulimurugan as the contenders for nominations to the best original song category.
His hit Malayalam songs Maanathe Marrikurmbe and Kaadanayum Kaalchilambe from superstar Mohanlal’s Pulimurgan are a part of the 70-song eligible for nominations list for the 90th Academy Awards.
His composition will compete with the likes of Taylor Swift, Nick Jonas and Mariah Carey. In the coming weeks, the voting member of the Academy’s music branch will whittle down the 70-song list to five songs, which will then go out as nominees for general voting on the final ballot.
“I am beyond excited to be on the long list for Oscars… I want to thank my team of musicians who have been a part of my journey. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude towards them,” said Sundar in an interview over the phone. The Indian National Award-winning composer, who has worked on projects such as Bangalore Days, Ustad Hotel and Anwar, claims he is not in the habit of analysing his nominations or awards.
“I won the National Award first and not the Kerala State Award, but I have never wondered why I didn’t get the State Award. What matters to me the most is that the audiences enjoy my work and my compositions, that’s the biggest validation for me,” said Sundar in Malayalam.
Nominations for the 90th Academy Awards will be announced on January 23.
“It’s an incredible honour to be on that tremendous list. I feel blessed to be here with my team. Now, let’s wait and watch,” said Sundar.
Sundar has just completed working on Prithviraj’s Vimaanam and will soon begin work on Nivin Pauly and director Roshan Andrew’s ambitious period epic, Kayamkulam Kochunni.